Courses

(This list of courses may not be up to date. Please see the latest General Catalog for a complete list of current courses.)

BIOL011. Human Anatomy and Physiology (4) A lecture and laboratory introduction to the structure and function of the various systems of the human body. Intended primarily for non-science majors; not open to biology majors.

BIOL035. Environment: Concepts and Issues (4) Introduction to principles of ecology as they bear on world environmental problems. Emphasis is on biological aspects of world problems and on the interrelationships between culture and environment. Global dimension of population, resources, food, energy and environmental impact are considered. Course does not count toward a biology major.

BIOL041. Introduction to Biology (4) A lecture and laboratory introduction to the concepts of biology. Physical structure, physiology, nutrition, reproduction, growth and behavior examined from the perspective of adaptation and interaction with the environment. Human, animal and plant systems will be covered. Recommended for non-majors. Course does not count toward a biology major.

BIOL051. Principles of Biology (4) A lecture and laboratory introduction to plant and animal diversity and development, and evolution. Preparation for continued studies in biological science. Prerequisite: passed Fundamental Skills Reading requirement or completion of READ 031.

BIOL061. Principles of Biology (4) A lecture and laboratory introduction to vertebrate anatomy and physiology, cellular and molecular biology, cellular energetics, genetics and ecology. Preparation for continued studies in biological science.

BIOL071. Human Anatomy (4) A study of the structure of the organ systems of humans. Credit will not be given if a student has taken BIOL111. Prerequisites: BIOL051, 061.

BIOL074. Biology of Insects (4) A broad study of the structure and function of this class of over 700,000 different species. It includes a study of their morphogenesis, reproduction, behavior and relation to humans. The laboratory work will include at least three field trips on Saturdays in addition to the preparation of 50-75 classified insects. Both anatomy and physiology of insects will be covered in the two weekly laboratories.

BIOL076. Marine Biology (4) Introduction to general concepts of community ecology, taxonomy and phylogeny, anatomical and physiological adaptations of marine organisms, and their interaction with the physical environment. Emphasis on natural history and identification of marine organisms of the Central California intertidal and sub-tidal environment. Prerequisites: BIOL051, 061.

BIOL077. Marine Birds and Mammals (4) An introduction to the ecology, behavior, economic importance and conservation of cetaceans, pinnipeds, otters, sirenians, seabirds and shorebirds. Physical and biological oceanography are considered as they relate to distribution and abundance of marine birds and mammals. Prerequisite: junior standing. Open to non-majors as well as majors.

BIOL081. Human Physiology (4) A lecture- and lab-based review of the functions of the major organ systems of vertebrates with emphasis on the human body. Lab exercises demonstrate basic physiological processes in the human body and emphasize techniques of instrumental data acquisition and data presentation. Credit will not be given if a student has already received credit for BIOL111. Prerequisites: BIOL051, 061, and CHEM 025; one semester of genetics suggested.

BIOL089. Lab Assistant in Biology (2 or 4) Students attend organizational meetings during which laboratory material is discussed and then assist in the laboratory answering student questions, doing dissections, etc. Attendance at class lectures is recommended and students are expected to take lecture and laboratory examinations. Usually one laboratory meeting per week will earn two units credit; two laboratory meetings per week will earn four units credit. Pass/no credit grading only.

BIOL093. Special Topics (3 or 4)

BIOL101. Genetics (4) Heritable variations and their relation to structure, behavior and function of genetic material. A basic course for students concentrating on biological sciences, medical sciences and liberal arts. Recommended for the sophomore year. Prerequisites: BIOL051, 061.

BIOL111. Anatomy and Physiology (4) A lecture and laboratory course which covers the structure and function of the major physiological systems of the human body. Intended primarily for students in the Dental Hygiene program. Students taking BIOL111 will not receive credit for either BIOL071 or BIOL081. Prerequisites: BIOL051, 061.

BIOL122. Principles of Immunology (4) A study of the fundamental properties of antigens and antibodies, with an emphasis on the theories of antibody production, tolerance, transplantation immunity, autoimmunity and tumor immunology. Prerequisites: BIOL101 and CHEM 121.

BIOL128. Histology (4) A study of the tissues which comprise the organs of the body. This course is limited to human tissues. Thin sections of organs will be studied and their structure related to function. Credit only given once for BIOL128 or 129. Prerequisites: BIOL051,061.

BIOL129. Histology Online (4) A non-lab, online version of BIOL128. Credit only given once for BIOL128 or 129. Prerequisites: BIOL051, 061.

BIOL130. Plant Kingdom (4) Through lectures, laboratories and field trips, students will be introduced to the morphology, reproduction biology and environmental requirements of all major groups of plants. Included will be material bearing on the evolutionary relationships within and between each major group. Individual projects are required. Prerequisites: BIOL051, 061.

BIOL145. Microbiology (4) The biology of microorganisms with emphasis on viruses, bacteria and fungi including techniques of cultivation and identification. Prerequisites: CHEM 025, 027; BIOL051, 061.

BIOL147. Medical Microbiology (4) A survey of microorganisms implicated in human disease; emphasis on characteristics and properties of microorganisms, chiefly bacteria and fungi, responsible for pathogenesis. Laboratory includes methods of isolation, characterization, and identification of bacteria and fungi responsible for human disease. Prerequisites: BIOL145 and CHEM 121 or permission of the instructor.

BIOL151. Parasitology (4) Principles of parasitism. Biology of animal parasites with special emphasis on the protozoa, platyhelminths, nematodes, acanthocephala and arthropods. Techniques of recovery of parasites from various vertebrate hosts; staining, mounting and identification. Prerequisites: BIOL051, 061, 101.

BIOL153. Cell Biology (4) Cell structure and function with emphasis on the dynamic nature of the cellular environment and the methodologies of cell biology. The experimental basis of our present understanding of the cell is also stressed. Prerequisites: BIOL051, 061, 101 and CHEM 025,027. Organic chemistry is recommended.

BIOL155. Biological Electron Microscopy (4) The processes and techniques involved in examining biological specimens with the transmission electron microscope will be covered in detail. When competence in specimen processing is achieved, each student will perform an original experiment as a term project. Prerequisites: BIOL051, 061, CHEM 025, 027; BIOL101 recommended.

BIOL157. Topics in Biomedical Research (4) Basic research in the areas of cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology and physiology will be examined in their applications to current problems in medicine. Topics covered will include genetic engineering, gene therapy, transplants and cloning. Prerequisites: BIOL051, 061, 101, CHEM 121.

BIOL158. Computerized Data Acquisition (4) A lecture and laboratory course training students in experimental design and protocol. Students will be trained in the programming and use of the computer data acquisition program LabVIEW, then apply the program to an intensive, team-based research project studying amphibian reproductive behavior. The class will end with a symposium-style presentation of each team’s experiments and results. Prerequisites: BIOL051, 061.

BIOL159. Molecular Biological Techniques (4) An advanced laboratory course in the methods of molecular biology, with emphasis on modern techniques and their application in the laboratory. Topics covered include gene cloning, protein expression systems, nucleic acid isolation and purification, and basic methods of bioinformatics. Prerequisites: BIOL101 and CHEM 121 with a C- or higher.

BIOL165. Embryology and Development (4) A laboratory course that focuses on the events that occur as a single-celled embryo develops into an adult organism. Developmental processes will be studied at the descriptive and mechanistic levels, leading to an understanding of how and why complex structures are produced. Major emphases will be placed on animal embryology (both vertebrate and invertebrate) leading to the production of tissues, organs and organ systems. Later developmental processes also will be studied, as will sex determination. Additional topics will include cancer and evolution as seen in the context of development. Prerequisites: BIOL051, 061, 101.

BIOL169. Elements of Biochemistry (4) A non-lab course that surveys the field of biochemistry and is designed as a preparation for students who will attend a Pharmacy or Dental School. Topics include nucleic acid and protein structure and synthesis, intermediary metabolism, enzyme action, and synthesis and degradation of important biological molecules. The relationship of biochemistry, nutrition, and human disease will be discussed. This course does not count for the Biochemistry major. Prerequisites: BIOL051, 061, 101; CHEM 123.

BIOL175. Ecology (4) The structure and dynamics of populations, biotic communities and ecosystems, with emphasis upon relationships of organisms to their environments. Prerequisites: BIOL051, 061.

BIOL176. Ecology & Conservation Biology (4) This course introduces principles of ecology and considers threats and disruptions to ecological systems from the level of local populations through ecosystems, landscapes, and global processes. Ecological principles will be used to help understand these systems, to make predictions for the future or for other systems, and to evaluate possible solutions, The class will consider the importance of economic and demographic forces in causing conservation problems and in shaping conservation strategies, and students will practice planning conservation areas. Prerequisite: BIOL051.

BIOL224. Cancer Biology and DNA Repair (4) The course will examine the morphological and molecular events that accompany the change of a normal cell into a cancerous cell. Emphasis on the cell and molecular biology of genes that play a role in this process. Lab will use molecular techniques to analyze genes involved in carcinogenesis and DNA repair. Prerequisite: graduate standing.

BIOL255. Biological Electron Microscopy (4) Same as BIOL155. The processes and techniques involved in examining biological specimens with the transmission electron microscope will be covered in detail. When competence in specimen processing is achieved, each student will perform an original experiment as a term project. Prerequisite: graduate standing.